Pakistan values friendly ties with Turkmenistan: President

ISLAMABAD, Aug 3 (APP): President Mamnoon Hussain on
Wednesday said Pakistan greatly values friendly and
cooperative relations with Turkmenistan, which have deep roots in common faith, cultural affinities and shared traditions.

The President said this while talking to Mrs. Akja Nurberdiyeva, Chairperson of Mejlis (Parliament) of
Turkmenistan who called on him along-with a delegation at the Aiwan e. Sardar.

Ayaz Sadiq, Speaker National Assembly was also present
during the meeting.

The President emphasized close collaboration between
parliamentarians, parliamentary committees and parliamentary friendship groups of the two countries.

He also called for regular exchanges of cultural and
trade delegations to increase people to people contacts and
promote understanding between the people of two brotherly countries.

President Mamnoon Hussain noted that bilateral trade
between the two countries was far below the potential and
needs to be enhanced.

He said the two sides need to facilitate business visas
and relax visa regime for the promotion of economic relations.

The President underlined the need to start air flights
between the two countries to facilitate the business persons,
tourists and people to people contacts.

He said Pakistan was committed to timely completion of
the TAPI Gas Pipeline project. The President also welcomed
Turkmenistan’s offer for export of 100 MW of electricity to
Pakistan.

The President said that with the completion of CPEC and
TAPI projects the whole region would achieve prosperity and
underlined the importance of regional connectivity to fully
benefit from the emerging opportunities.

Chairperson of Mejlis (Parliament) of Turkmenistan Mrs.
Akja Nurberdiyeva said that her country was keen to forge
stronger ties with Pakistan to the benefit of people of both the countries.

She said Turkmenistan was working on laying electricity
line along the TAPI Gas Pipeline for providing electricity to
regional countries.